How Every Home Can Benefit from a Humidifier This Winter
Winter can be a wonderful time full of gorgeous snowscapes, joyous holiday get-togethers, and cozy evenings spent basking in the glow of the fireplace. But winter can also be a time of dry, itchy skin, chapped lips, irritated sinuses, and scratchy throats. This is because, as the weather gets colder, the air doesn’t hold as much moisture. And too little moisture is bad news for indoor air quality.
Excessively low humidity levels in the home can also dry out plants, damage wood floors or furniture, and even cause more instances of static shock from doorknobs or other metal objects. Fortunately, a humidifier can save the day and rebalance the home’s moisture levels. Keep reading to learn about how humidifiers can combat the effects of dry winter air and improve indoor air quality!
Effects on Respiratory Health
When the air’s moisture content drops low enough, it can wreak havoc on the human respiratory system. The nasal passages and sinuses become chapped, the throat and lungs get dry and tight, and mucus membranes can’t produce the mucus necessary for capturing airborne pollutants. This can cause nosebleeds, coughing, sore throat, sinus irritation, and greater vulnerability to respiratory illness, such as allergies, colds, or the flu.
A humidifier will bring moisture levels up to a more acceptable level (40-60% is typically the ideal range), which helps the respiratory system stay hydrated and function the way it should. This gets rid of the discomfort caused by dry air and helps the body defend against airborne pollutants.
Effects on Skin Care
Just about everyone is familiar with the effects of cold, dry air on their skin. Human skin naturally contains a lot of moisture. When the body gets hot, it relies on the evaporation of this moisture to cool down. But when the air is too dry, that moisture evaporates too easily, leaving the skin sapped. The skin will then become dry, irritated, flaky, or cracked. This can also cause chapped lips, eye irritation, and flare-ups of skin conditions like eczema.
It’s nearly impossible to avoid this when going outdoors in the winter, but no one should have to deal with it in their own homes. With the help of a humidifier, the indoor humidity level can be kept high enough that the skin’s moisture won’t be constantly lost to evaporation, eliminating much discomfort.
Effects on Indoor Plants
Most plants thrive in relatively moist environments. Common houseplants such as ferns, orchids, and bamboo rely on moisture for photosynthesis. Without adequate moisture, their ability to synthesize foods and produce oxygen will be greatly hindered. Even more importantly, the plants themselves will lose more moisture through the pores in their leaves.
The result will be dry, brittle, and unhappy plants that are harder to keep alive. Cacti and succulents may be fine in dry air, but most plants will be lucky to make it through the winter if the home’s relative humidity is lower than 40% or so. Installing a humidifier is one of the best ways to help replicate the natural environment of most houseplants to keep them healthy and thriving!
About John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning
John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning have been serving the Lincoln community with pride since 1996. Their outstanding customer service, unbeatable workmanship, and honest, personalized recommendations have earned them numerous awards and 5-star ratings. Their trustworthy expert technicians are available around the clock to tackle any job, so there’s no one better to call for humidifier installation or other air quality services in Lincoln, NE!
